AIUSA Remembers Congressman Donald Payne

Amnesty International Expresses Regret over Death of U.S. Congressman Donald PayneContact: Gwen Fitzgerald, gfitzgerald@aiusa.org, 202-509-8194(Washington, D.C.) – Following the sad news today of the passing of U.S. Congressman Donald Payne, Adotei Awkei, Amnesty International's managing director for government relations, issued the following statement: "Amnesty International is deeply saddened by the passing today of U.S. Congressman Donald Payne. The U.S. Congress and millions of people from around the world have lost a human rights champion and an individual of inspiring commitment and integrity. Throughout his 23 years in office, Congressman Payne never said no to the fight for justice and dignity for all. Whether it was drawing attention to conflict minerals in the Democratic Republic of Congo, conflict diamonds in Sierra Leone and Liberia, or ending the violence and humanitarian crises in Darfur, Donald Payne was there. When Nigeria was reeling under the brutal dictatorship of the late Sani Abach and Africa's 'Big Men' mercilessly silenced their citizens, Congressman Payne refused to stay quiet, chiding them in his unassuming voice. And when the opportunity presented itself to secure more than $50 billion to prevent, control and treat HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB in Africa, Donald Payne led the fight. While people familiar with the U.S. Congress may foremost associate Donald Payne with Africa, the Congressman was dedicated to ending injustice wherever it arose. From his steadfast opposition to the death penalty, to championing education as a right for all Americans, to advancing peace initiatives to end the sectarian violence in Northern Ireland, Congressman Payne never lost sight of the need to retain compassion and dignity for all individuals. Perhaps the best measure of Congressman Payne's impact was that no one could envision any Africa-related legislation moving forward without the congressman's blessing. Likewise, no activist traveling to Washington, D.C., would leave without first meeting with Congressman Payne and being reassured of his support. Congressman Payne's absence will be difficult to miss. But his legacy remains vibrant and vital, and his work will continue to be a source of inspiration for all." Amnesty International is a Nobel Peace Prize-winning grassroots activist organization with more than 3 million supporters, activists and volunteers in more than 150 countries campaigning for human rights worldwide. The organization investigates and exposes abuses, educates and mobilizes the public and works to protect people wherever justice, freedom and dignity are denied.###

Congressman Rothman Supports IVAWA! Now Let’s Pass It!

Congressman Steve Rothman became a cosponsor of the International Violence Against Women, joining NJ Representatives Holt, Payne, Sires, and Lance, as well as Senators Lautenberg and Menendez!

If you’re Representative is already on board, call his office to thank him and ask him to help move the legislation ahead. If he isn’t onboard yet, please call and urge him to support IVAWA!

It would also help to let Lautenberg and Menendez know that it is important to pass IVAWA before Congress adjourns and the whole process has to start over.

4 NJ Reps onboard the Global Moms Act

HR 5268 is aimed at reducing the epidemic of maternal mortality around the world. NJ cosponsors now include Payne, Sires, Rothman, and Holt!

Now let's get the rest of them onboard!

Let’s Pass the International Violence Against Women Act!

It looks like the House of Representatives is almost ready to move forward on the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA)! Amnesty International has been behind this legislation from the very start, along with a broad coalition of women’s groups, human rights organizations, humanitarian groups, and churches. It looks like the bill is going to be discussed and marked up later this month, and it is important that we get as many cosponsors onboard before that happens.

So far, New Jersey Congressmen Payne (District 10), Sires (District 13), and Holt (District 12) have signed on. Please thank them if you are one of their constituents.

If you live in another district, however, please call your representative’s office and urge him to cosponsor HR 4594, the International Violence Against Women Act. This legislation will coordinate our foreign policy efforts in the effort to end violence against women around the world, making them more efficient and effective.

It is especially important for you to call your representative if you live in districts 4 (Smith), 7 (Lance), or 11 (Frelinghuysen)!

Don’t know which district you live in? Go to www.house.gov and enter your zip code to get the name of your House Member and his office numbers!

Thank You Congressman Payne!

New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne appears among the 25 original cosponsors of HR 4594, the International Violence Against Women Act (IVAWA). Amnesty International greatly appreciates his leadership on this crucial piece of legislation!

Unfortunately, however, none of the other 12 House members from New Jersey appear on the list of original cosponsors. Please call their offices and urge them to become cosponsors! You can find the name and contact information for your Representative by entering your zipcode at www.house.gov.

Sires Cosponsors Immigrant Detention Reform

Great news! Congressman Albio Sires (NJ13) joined fellow NJ Representatives Holt, Payne and Rothman in supporting the Immigration Oversight and Fairness Act, HR1215. This legislation addresses the most serious flaws identified in Amnesty’s Jailed Without Justice Report:
• Extreme over reliance on detention without considering effective and less expensive alternatives.
• Lack of due process allowing those imprisoned to challenge the grounds of their detention.
• Inhumane prison conditions for those who are detained.

If your Congressman is not on the list above, please call his office and urge him to cosponsor this important bill.

Amnesty is also supporting two of Senator Robert Menendez’s bills that address these issues, S 1549 and S 1550. Wherever you live in NJ, please call Senator Lautenberg’s office and urge him to support these bills!

Amnesty is currently organizing a lobbying week (the week of November 11th) across the country to support this legislation. We are also going to be focusing on closing Guantanamo and supporting the ratification of a women’s rights treaty (CEDAW). Please go to http://www.amnestyusa.org/delegation/list.php to find out more!